Dextran 70
Branched polysaccharide (Dextranum 70)
Also known as: Gentran 70 · Macrodex · RescueFlow · Hyskon · Lomodex 70 · Longasteril 70 · Fisiodex 70 · dextranum 70 · polyglucin
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small volume resuscitation (hypovolemic shock, head injury, pulmonary contusions, oliguric renal failure) | 5 mL/kg over 1-5 minutes (after initial isotonic crystalloids 10-15 mL/kg). Repeat as needed until end-point of resuscitation is reached. | IV | As needed | Acute resuscitation | 🌎 NA |
| Volume expansion / Augment colloid oncotic pressure | 20 mL/kg/day; when acute resuscitation is required, may be given as a slow bolus over 30 minutes to an hour. May also be given as a constant rate infusion. | IV | q24h or CRI | As needed | 🌎 NA |
- Small volume resuscitation (hypovolemic shock, head injury, pulmonary contusions, oliguric renal failure): Reassess perfusion parameters between boluses.
- Volume expansion / Augment colloid oncotic pressure: Reduces the volume of crystalloids infused, thereby reducing hemodilution.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small volume resuscitation (hypovolemic shock, head injury, pulmonary contusions, oliguric renal failure) | 2-5 mL/kg over 1-5 minutes (after initial isotonic crystalloids 5-10 mL/kg). Repeat as needed until end-point of resuscitation is reached. | IV | As needed | Acute resuscitation | 🌎 NA |
| Volume expansion / Augment colloid oncotic pressure | 10 mL/kg/day; when acute resuscitation is required. May be given as a slow bolus over 30 minutes to an hour. May also be given as a constant rate infusion. | IV | q24h or CRI | As needed | 🌎 NA |
- Small volume resuscitation (hypovolemic shock, head injury, pulmonary contusions, oliguric renal failure): Reassess perfusion parameters between boluses.
- Volume expansion / Augment colloid oncotic pressure: Reduces the volume of crystalloids infused, thereby reducing hemodilution.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehydration secondary to diarrhea (Calves) | 4-5 mL/kg over 4-5 minutes of a 6% dextran 70 in 7.2% NaCl solution. Follow immediately by oral administration of isotonic electrolyte solution. | IV | Once | One time only | 🌎 NA |
- Dehydration secondary to diarrhea (Calves): To prepare: add 31.6 g NaCl to 60 mL syringe, draw 60 mL of 6% dextran 70 in 0.9% NaCl, dissolve, and filter through 0.22 micron filter. Give ONE TIME ONLY to avoid hypernatremia.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Dextran 70 is a high-molecular-weight synthetic colloid used primarily as an adjunctive treatment for hypovolemic shock.
- Clinical Role: It serves as a relatively low-cost plasma volume expander. While hetastarch (and newer tetrastarches) are more commonly employed in modern veterinary medicine, Dextran 70 remains a viable option for rapid intravascular volume expansion.
- Composition: It is a branched polysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 70,000 daltons.
- Clinical Pearl: Because it is a large molecule, it remains in the vascular space longer than crystalloid fluids (like LRS or normal saline), making it highly effective for small-volume resuscitation in critical patients with head trauma, pulmonary contusions, or closed-cavity hemorrhage.
Mechanism of action
Dextran 70 exerts its effects through oncotic pull:
- Acts as an artificial colloid → increases intravascular colloid osmotic pressure (COP).
- The high COP → draws fluid from the interstitial spaces into the vascular system.
- This fluid shift → rapidly increases circulating blood volume → improves venous return, cardiac output, and systemic perfusion.
- Note: Dextran 70 has a colloid osmotic pressure of 62 mmHg, which is significantly higher than normal canine plasma (approx. 20 mmHg).
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Preexisting severe coagulopathies
- Severe heart failure (due to risk of circulatory overload)
- Severe renal failure (oliguric/anuric, unless closely monitored)
- Intramuscular (IM) administration
Adverse effects
- Increased bleeding times (decreased von Willebrand's factor and factor VIII activity)
- Anaphylactoid reactions (rare in dogs, but higher incidence than hetastarch)
- Acute renal failure (rare)
- Volume overload / circulatory overload
- Gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain - reported in humans)
Precautions
Critical Warnings:
- Circulatory Overload: Use with extreme caution in patients susceptible to volume overload (e.g., severe cardiac or renal disease).
- Coagulation: Can interfere with platelet function. Use cautiously in patients with thrombocytopenia.
- Sodium Load: A 500 mL bag of 6% dextran 70 in normal saline contains 77 mEq of sodium. Use cautiously in patients requiring strict sodium restriction.
Laboratory Interferences:
- Cross-matching: May interfere with blood cross-matching by causing red blood cell cross-linking (rouleaux formation). Washing cells with isotonic saline can negate this.
- Blood Glucose: Levels may falsely increase as dextran is degraded into glucose.
- Bilirubin: May cause falsely elevated bilirubin levels (mechanism unknown).
Monitoring
- Perfusion parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, capillary refill time, mucous membrane color)
- Signs of fluid/circulatory overload (respiratory rate/effort, lung sounds)
- Coagulation status / bleeding times (if prolonged use or high doses)
- Renal function and urine output
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
After IV infusion, circulating blood volume is increased maximally within one hour and effects can persist for 24 hours or more.
Distribution
Approximately 20-30% of a given dose remains in the intravascular compartment at 24 hours. It may be detected in the blood 4-6 weeks after dosing.
Metabolism
Slowly degraded to glucose by dextranase in the spleen, and then metabolized to carbon dioxide and water.
Elimination
A small amount may be excreted directly into the gut and eliminated in the feces.
Overdose
Volume Overload: Overdosage primarily results in circulatory/fluid overload. The drug must be dosed and monitored carefully. Treatment is supportive, potentially requiring diuretics (e.g., furosemide) if severe pulmonary edema or volume overload occurs.
Available products
Formulations
- Injection: 6% dextran 70 in 0.9% sodium chloride (500 mL)
- Injection: 6% dextran 70 in 5% dextrose (500 mL)
Human-labeled
- 6% dextran 70 in 0.9% sodium chloride injection (500 mL)
- 6% dextran 70 in 5% dextrose injection (500 mL)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store at room temperature, preferably in an area with little temperature variability. Only clear solutions should be used. If dextran flakes form, they may be resolubilized by heating the solution in a boiling water bath until clear, or by autoclaving at 110°C for 15 minutes.
Client information
Emergency Use Only: Dextran 70 is an emergency hospital medication used to treat severe shock and life-threatening low blood pressure.
- How it works: It acts like a sponge inside your pet's blood vessels, pulling fluid in and holding it there to quickly stabilize their blood pressure and circulation.
- Monitoring: Because it is given intravenously in critical situations, your veterinary team will closely monitor your pet's heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure to ensure they are responding well and not receiving too much fluid.
- Side Effects: Side effects are rare but can include mild changes in blood clotting or, very rarely, allergic reactions. Your veterinarian will monitor for these during treatment.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.